the rub
noun
formal
: something that causes a difficulty or problem
She's an amazing cook, but she rarely has time to make meals. There's the rub.
Therein/There lies the rub.
Examples of the rub in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
But the rub this time is the introduction of Varang (Oona Chaplin), an unhinged leader of a tribe who allies herself with human villains.
—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
26 June 2026
But the rub is that the Truck is fairly bare-bones.
—
Sara Lacey,
The Drive,
25 June 2026
Here's a rub -- here's the rub.
—
ABC News,
14 June 2026
Arsenal The champions generally had the rub of the green throughout the season, and in three matches decisions went their way that almost certainly had a positive impact on their final points tally.
—
Graham Scott,
New York Times,
2 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for the rub
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
26 June 2026
But the rub is that the Truck is fairly bare-bones.
—
Sara Lacey,
The Drive,
25 June 2026
Here's a rub -- here's the rub.
—
ABC News,
14 June 2026
Arsenal The champions generally had the rub of the green throughout the season, and in three matches decisions went their way that almost certainly had a positive impact on their final points tally.
—
Graham Scott,
New York Times,
2 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for the rub
Cite this Entry
“The rub.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20rub. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
